Our Campaigns
We recognize that Houston’s metropolitan area is a place of diversity where each community faces different challenges. Our campaigns take into consideration the various air quality issues and environmental injustices in neighborhoods, focusing on advocating with underserved communities who experience disproportionate and cumulative impacts from multiple sources of air pollution (Ethylene Oxide, Particulate Matter 2.5, Benzene, etc.). Read how we are prioritizing better air quality for Houston communities.
Building Healthy Communities
Clean Air for Port Communities
As a member of the Healthy Port Communities Coalition (HPCC), we advocate in partnership with residents for the health and well-being of communities impacted by Port operations along the Houston Ship Channel. We work to increase transparency and community participation in the Port’s decision-making processes and advocate for equity and quantifiable emissions reductions in the Port’s planning. In addition, we advocate limiting community impacts from the Ship Channel Expansion (‘Project 11’) by calling for the use of cleaner dredge equipment and responsible placement of dredge materials. Read more about our Coalition’s Strategic Priorities here.
Widening and Deepening of the Houston Ship Channel: Air Quality & Health Impacts, an executive summary
Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) & Texas A&M University. Report commissioned by Public Citizen in association with HPCC, 2021
Evaluation of the air quality impacts of clean combustion technologies, emissions controls and fleet electrification in the Houston Metropolitan Area for the year 2040
Report released by the University of Houston in conjunction with Public Citizen and the Healthy Port Communities Coalition assessing future models for emission control, 2018
More resources available at: healthyportcommunities.org/resources/
Industrial Emissions Regulation and Enforcement
Strong accountability of polluters begins with strong air quality standards and their enforcement. We routinely respond in writing, with testimony, and in our calls to action to proposed air quality-related permits, regulations, rules for implementation, enforcement patterns, and determinations of adherence that are developed by both the local Texas regulator (TCEQ) and the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Strong enforcement of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) is always a high priority. Our efforts address both ‘backyard polluters’ like concrete batch plants, landfills, or metal recyclers and larger fossil fuel facilities, both of which are overconcentrated in Houston communities of color and lower-income neighborhoods.
Read about our air permit notification system and check out our air permit notification map.
Comments on the TCEQ Public Participation and Language Access Plan – March 17, 2022
Comments on the TCEQ Sunset Review – January 3, 2022
AAH signs on to a letter to the Chemical Safety Board, calling for reforms – July 8, 2021
AAH’s supporting testimony on HB 2974 to the Environmental Regulation Committee during the 87th Texas Legislative Session – April 26, 2021 (written) | Watch the live recording
Supporting Sustainable & Equitable Transportation
The Houston region faces many challenges regarding transportation and the health of its residents that will likely worsen if appropriate actions are not taken. Houston’s particulate matter and smog levels remain unhealthy, and vehicle traffic is a significant contributor to Houston’s stubborn air pollution problem as well as a significant source of climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.
Clean Air for Port Communities
We apply our research and community advocacy methods to address a network of highway expansions, which, allowed to advance unabated, will further encroach on Houston communities, force more capacity for Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) trips, and worsen our air quality. We work alongside Houstonians to advocate for true community engagement in each these projects popping up across the region, including:
- I-45 Expansion, also known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP)
- I-10 W west of downtown
- I-45 S from Downtown to Beltway 8
- I-45 N in Montgomery County
- 610 and SH 225 in Pasadena, among others.
Our Health Impact Assessment of the NHHIP:
Air Alliance Houston: Health Impact Assessment of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project
Air Alliance Houston: Health Assessment of The Bruce Elementary School Community – Final Report
Air Alliance Houston: I-45 N Expansion Health Impact Assessment – Summary of Key Findings
Air Alliance Houston: I-45 N Expansion Health Impact Assessment – Concerns, Impacts, Possible Solutions
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – 3rd Ward/Midtown/Museum District Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – 5th Ward Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – Greater Northside/Northline Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: Proyecto del Mejoramiento de la Autopista del Norte de Houston y Evaluación del Impacto en la Salud (NHHIP por sus siglas en Inglés) – Recomendaciones para Greater Northside/Northline
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – Aldine/Greenspoint Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: Proyecto del Mejoramiento de la Autopista del Norte de Houston y Evaluación del Impacto en la Salud (NHHIP por sus siglas en Inglés) – Recomendaciones para Aldine/Greenspoint
City of Houston documentation:
City of Houston’s interactive map about the project’s impacts
From our partners:
Make I-45 Better Coalition – documents
A letter to USDOT RE: Additional Mitigation for Environmental Justice Communities Disproportionately Affected by the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP)
AAH Statement on the City and County NHHIP MOUs with TxDOT – Full Analysis – December 22, 2022
AAH Comments on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the NHHIP – December, 7, 2020
Clean and Just Transportation Planning
We focus on building broad public support for an equitable multi-modal transportation system that promotes alternative transportation modes, reduces vehicle miles traveled, increases fleet electrification, and ensures everyone can get where they need to go. We conduct research and support plans and initiatives to improve multi-modal transportation options both within the city and in the wider Houston region. These include the Houston Bike Plan, Houston’s METRO bus and light rail system, H-GAC’s High Capacity Transit Task Force, and Houston BCycle. In addition to supporting individual projects, we advocate for structural funding redistributions and project reprioritization at the local, regional, and state level to better support an accessible, sustainable transportation infrastructure system. We also support equitable and sustainable land use policies in Houston and the greater region to combat sprawl, reduce car dependency, prevent displacement, and ensure people at all income levels have access to a multimodal transportation system.
Air Alliance Houston Public Comment: I-10 from Heights Blvd. to I-45 – August 11, 2022
Air Alliance Houston Public Comment: Gulf Freeway PEL Study – July 29, 2022
AAH’s supporting testimony on HJR 109 to the Transportation Committee during the 87th Texas Legislative Session – April 20, 2021 (written) | Watch the live recording
Power, planning, and avenues for change: Uncovering levels of power within Metropolitan Planning Organizations to encounter avenues for the achievement of urban environmental justice
Masters Thesis by Lia Miller, Air Alliance Houston Summer Intern, 2022. Thesis supported by Air Alliance Houston.
COVID and Public Transit in the Houston Region
Air Alliance Houston, in partnership with LINK Houston & Texas Southern University, 2021
Equitable Goods Movement
According to H-GAC’s Regional Goods Movement Plan, the Houston region expects to see twice as much freight volume moving through our region by 2050, including freight rail. We support and uplift directly impacted communities who are already experiencing disproportionate impacts of freight. We hold rail companies and all levels of government accountable to address the mobility and public health impacts brought by freight rail.
Protecting Against Chemical Disasters
The Houston region faces many challenges regarding transportation and the health of its residents that will likely worsen if appropriate actions are not taken. Houston’s particulate matter and smog levels remain unhealthy, and vehicle traffic is a significant contributor to Houston’s stubborn air pollution problem as well as a significant source of climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.
Clean Air for Port Communities
We apply our research and community advocacy methods to address a network of highway expansions, which, allowed to advance unabated, will further encroach on Houston communities, force more capacity for Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) trips, and worsen our air quality. We work alongside Houstonians to advocate for true community engagement in each these projects popping up across the region, including:
- I-45 Expansion, also known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP)
- I-10 W west of downtown
- I-45 S from Downtown to Beltway 8
- I-45 N in Montgomery County
- 610 and SH 225 in Pasadena, among others.
Our Health Impact Assessment of the NHHIP:
Air Alliance Houston: Health Impact Assessment of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project
Air Alliance Houston: Health Assessment of The Bruce Elementary School Community – Final Report
Air Alliance Houston: I-45 N Expansion Health Impact Assessment – Summary of Key Findings
Air Alliance Houston: I-45 N Expansion Health Impact Assessment – Concerns, Impacts, Possible Solutions
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – 3rd Ward/Midtown/Museum District Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – 5th Ward Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – Greater Northside/Northline Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: Proyecto del Mejoramiento de la Autopista del Norte de Houston y Evaluación del Impacto en la Salud (NHHIP por sus siglas en Inglés) – Recomendaciones para Greater Northside/Northline
Air Alliance Houston: North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) Health Impact Assessment – Aldine/Greenspoint Recommendations
Air Alliance Houston: Proyecto del Mejoramiento de la Autopista del Norte de Houston y Evaluación del Impacto en la Salud (NHHIP por sus siglas en Inglés) – Recomendaciones para Aldine/Greenspoint
City of Houston documentation:
City of Houston’s interactive map about the project’s impacts
From our partners:
Make I-45 Better Coalition – documents
A letter to USDOT RE: Additional Mitigation for Environmental Justice Communities Disproportionately Affected by the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP)
AAH Statement on the City and County NHHIP MOUs with TxDOT – Full Analysis – December 22, 2022
AAH Comments on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the NHHIP – December, 7, 2020
Clean and Just Transportation Planning
We focus on building broad public support for an equitable multi-modal transportation system that promotes alternative transportation modes, reduces vehicle miles traveled, increases fleet electrification, and ensures everyone can get where they need to go. We conduct research and support plans and initiatives to improve multi-modal transportation options both within the city and in the wider Houston region. These include the Houston Bike Plan, Houston’s METRO bus and light rail system, H-GAC’s High Capacity Transit Task Force, and Houston BCycle. In addition to supporting individual projects, we advocate for structural funding redistributions and project reprioritization at the local, regional, and state level to better support an accessible, sustainable transportation infrastructure system. We also support equitable and sustainable land use policies in Houston and the greater region to combat sprawl, reduce car dependency, prevent displacement, and ensure people at all income levels have access to a multimodal transportation system.
Air Alliance Houston Public Comment: I-10 from Heights Blvd. to I-45 – August 11, 2022
Air Alliance Houston Public Comment: Gulf Freeway PEL Study – July 29, 2022
AAH’s supporting testimony on HJR 109 to the Transportation Committee during the 87th Texas Legislative Session – April 20, 2021 (written) | Watch the live recording
Power, planning, and avenues for change: Uncovering levels of power within Metropolitan Planning Organizations to encounter avenues for the achievement of urban environmental justice
Masters Thesis by Lia Miller, Air Alliance Houston Summer Intern, 2022. Thesis supported by Air Alliance Houston.
COVID and Public Transit in the Houston Region
Air Alliance Houston, in partnership with LINK Houston & Texas Southern University, 2021
Equitable Goods Movement
According to H-GAC’s Regional Goods Movement Plan, the Houston region expects to see twice as much freight volume moving through our region by 2050, including freight rail. We support and uplift directly impacted communities who are already experiencing disproportionate impacts of freight. We hold rail companies and all levels of government accountable to address the mobility and public health impacts brought by freight rail.
Monitoring Our Air
Community Air Monitoring Network (C.A.M.P.)
To inform county air monitoring, we have built our own community-based air monitoring network. We currently have air monitors in Pasadena and Galena Park/Jacinto City, three of Houston’s ‘Complete Communities’: Kashmere Gardens, Gulfton, and Near Northside/Northline, and we’re expanding our network to Baytown, Channeview, and Northeast Houston. This low-cost network is being designed to address neighborhood-level air quality concerns in communities with the greatest risks. It comprises a mix of air monitors in strategic locations, including Purple Air particulate matter monitors and APIS air monitors that detect common pollutants. This additional air monitoring capacity is helping us identify and raise awareness about air pollution sources in neighborhoods most impacted by poor air quality. Equally importantly, it guides community action planning around issues of concern. Check out our air monitoring dashboards to view our current Community Air Monitoring Network and monitor air quality in your community. Community partners make it possible to maintain our network: Jacinto City Hall, Galena Park Multiservices, Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park (ECAGP), Natural Health Care Massage, St. Peter's Epsicopal Church, Launch Point CC, St. Catherine's School, Westward Square Apartments
Air Quality Ambassadors
Our Air Quality Ambassadors program gives residents the chance to learn about the technical aspects of air quality including map reading, types of air pollution, and the air monitors, while using their community connections to grow the network and spread information. Ambassadors receive stipends for attending and completing the training.
CURRENT AMBASSADORS:
- Jean Vega – Galena Park
- Sandra Edwards – Kashmere Gardens
Presentations, data summaries, and action plans
We hold meetings with community members and partners to share results from our air monitoring network and then use this information to work together on community action plans for clean air. Our data presentations and community action plans are below:
Environmental Protection for the 21st Century: Putting Equity at the Top of the Agenda – Community Air Monitoring Network Case Study – A Case Study of AAH CAMP by the American University Center for Environmental Policy
Air Alliance Houston comments on the TCEQ 2023 Draft Air Monitoring Network Plan (AMNP)
Sampling the City
Hyperlocal air pollution data can help residents and policymakers to better identify, remediate and prevent pollution sources and their associated health risks in communities. Since 2020, we have partnered with Houston communities, including Sunnyside, Fifth Ward, OST-South Union, and the East End, to cruise their neighborhoods on bicycles with personal Flow 2 air quality monitors to bring attention to local air quality and pollution sources. The data collected during these rides have been insightful, and we are working on expanding this citizen-scientist research with a focus on additional environmental justice communities. Our aim is to help empower residents with air pollution monitoring technology that will inform, educate, and help mobilize advocates to influence public policies that improve air quality — ensuring clean air for all Houstonians.
Data Review: Gulfton (July 30, 2022)
Data Review: East End (November 20, 2021)
Data Review: Houston’s Sunnyside, OST- South Union and Fifth Ward Communities (June 5, 12, and 19 of 2021)
Data Review: Simms Bayou – Houston Botanic Gardens, East End – Second Ward, Greater Heights, Brays Bayou, Downtown, Sheldon, Spring Creek Greenway (December 5, 2020)
Advancing Climate Justice
Beyond Carbon: WA Parish Power Plant
We work alongside the community via grassroots organizing against NRG Energy’s W.A. Parish coal-fired power plant in Fort Bend County – one of the state’s worst climate polluters. Our team of coordinators is surveying the community to gather testimony and provide education about the dangers of having this health-harming pollution in our own backyard. Our goal is to help shut down the W.A. Parish plant in order to advance our mission for clean air.
Report: Close Parish Coal: How the Dirtiest Coal Plant in Texas Harms Public Health and the Environment; and the Alternatives for Fort Bend | Cierre de la Planta de carbón de Parish: Los perjuicios que la central de carbón más sucia de Texas cause en la salud publica y el medio ambiente y las alternativas para Fort Bend. Air Alliance Houston, July 2023
Decarbonization
New technologies and emissions reduction strategies have emerged to address the issue of carbon-driven climate change. We recognize that different strategies must be employed to achieve global climate goals. Our climate team is analyzing comprehensive decarbonization strategies and their impacts for the region including but not limited to technological responses such as Carbon Capture Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). CCUS is a highly technical subject that only a handful of high-level interest groups (city, industry, and university cliques) are familiar with, often leaving those at risk out of the conversation. We want to involve environmental justice communities in these discussions and look critically at the role of CCUS in decarbonization strategies today, so that community remains at the center of a decarbonization future.
Report: Perspectives on Carbon Capture Technology in Houston: A Qualitative Assessment and a Path Forward | Perspectivas sobre la tecnología de capture de carbono en Houston: Evaluación cualitativa y possible camino hacia el futuro
Air Alliance Houston, June 2023
Summary Sheet: What Houstonians Need to Know About Carbon Capture | Ficha resumen: Lo que los residentes de Houston deben saber sobre la captura de carbono
Local and regional climate action planning
We proudly supported the City of Houston in the creation of its first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP). After co-leading the transportation working group for the CAP, we are now advocating for the codification of the plan and accelerated implementation of its strategies. Alongside City of Houston climate action planning, we are also supportive of Harris County’s movement towards a county-level plan. In addition, we are working with diverse partners to create new frameworks, legislative agendas, and plans for addressing the intersections of air quality, climate, equity, and energy.
Opposing chemical plastic recycling
The industry that produces plastic is claiming to have the solution to plastic waste: chemical recycling, or “advanced recycling,” a process that heats plastic with chemicals to break it down either into microplastics or into fuel, and, in the process, emitting tons of carbon and other toxics into the air, including carcinogens. Rather than reduce single-use plastics, the petrochemical industry is pushing these alternatives at the expense of public health. We are working with community members primarily in Baytown, Galena Park, and Pasadena, where these new plastic “recycling” or “sustainable” fuel facilities are located, to raise awareness of this false solution and to urge decision-makers to reject industrial air pollution.
Environmental Justice Programs
Environmental Justice Leadership Lab (EJLL)
This is a community-centered approach to tackling environmental justice issues related to air quality. The EJLL is for community members and leaders who want to increase their understanding of the various environmental agencies responsible for air quality and access resources for advocating for clean air in the Houston area.
Language Justice
Comprehensive language access plans, especially in agencies like the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality), are crucial for fostering diverse community engagement. Without such access, many members of the community are excluded from providing comments, attending public hearings, and engaging with government agencies. AAH is in collaboration with Tecolotl, Woori Juntos, and other organizations to further strengthen the effort to promote language access and ensure that all voices in Harris County are heard. If you are needing interpretation help, please contact Genesis Granados at [email protected]
Reproductive Justice
AAH understands reproductive justice as “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities” (SisterSong). We recognize that environmental injustices are inherently tied to the ability of individuals to exercise their reproductive rights and autonomy, especially after the Dobbs decision in 2022. Air Alliance Houston's involvement in the Promote Environmental Justice working group of the Mom and Baby Action Network (M-BAN) reflects our commitment to addressing environmental justice issues that affect maternal and infant health.